Terms of Reference

Development of the Gulf of St. Lawrence Greenland Halibut Precautionary Approach Framework (4RST)

Regional Science Response Process — Quebec Region

November 15, 2021
Virtual meeting

Chairperson: Charley Cyr

Context

Canada has committed at national and international levels to applying the precautionary approach (DFO 2006) in the fisheries decision-making process. In recent years, Canada has taken several initiatives to define the precautionary approach in the fisheries context, to establish benchmarks consistent with this approach, and to apply it to fisheries management. Following recommendations formulated by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD, October 2016), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has committed to developing and implementing a precautionary approach for the sustainable management of the Gulf of St. Lawrence Greenland halibut.

The Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Divisions 4RST) Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) is a stock for which a precautionary approach is being developed. A stock status indicator and limit reference point have been established (DFO 2018). A working group consisting of DFO (Science and Fisheries Management sectors), fishing industry, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government representatives, and Aboriginal groups, was created in the fall of 2018 to develop a precautionary approach proposal. Objectives related to the management of this stock and target and upper reference points were developed by the working group. The working group also addressed the development of decision rules (hereafter harvest control rules; HCRs) and developed 3 proposals. DFO Science was approached by the Resource Management, Aquaculture and Aboriginal Affairs Branch to determine the compliance of the proposed HCRs with the principles of the Precautionary Approach and to compare their advantages and disadvantages.

Objectives

The objective of the meeting is to review the precautionary approach framework developed for the management of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Greenland halibut stock. This advice will include:

• A description of the Precautionary Approach draft for Greenland halibut 4RST
• An assessment of the compliance of the proposed HCRs with the principles of the Precautionary Approach
• If any element of the draft is considered inconsistent with the DFO Precautionary Approach, a description of the changes required to ensure consistency is requested
• Discuss different mechanisms to minimize inter-annual variations in total removals prescribed by the HCR
• Description of decision-making mechanisms in interim years and in exceptional circumstances

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Science and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Fishing industry
• Aboriginal communities/organizations

References

• Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD). October 2016. Report 2—Sustaining Canada’s Major Fish Stocks—Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Page visited on 2021-10-29.
• DFO. 2006. A Harvest Strategy Compliant with the Precautionary Approach. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2006/023.
• DFO. 2018. Assessment of Greenland Halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) in 2016. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2017/049.
• DFO. 2021. Assessment of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Greenland halibut stock in 2020. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2021/017.